What is a motion to compel?

• A. An application to the court requesting an order that the opposing party be required to answer discovery questions, produce documents, or comply with a court order.
• B. A court order granting automatic dismissal of a case.
• C. A request to delay a hearing.
• D. A filing to appeal a verdict.

Answer: (A)

A motion to compel is a request to the court to enforce discovery obligations. When one side has asked the other to answer questions, produce documents, or otherwise comply with a court’s discovery order, and the responses are incomplete, evasive, or absent, the moving party asks the judge to issue an order forcing the other side to provide the information or documents and to comply with the court’s directives.

Discovery covers things like written interrogatories (written questions), requests for production of documents, and depositions. The motion usually includes details of what was requested, what was provided or not provided, and efforts to resolve the issue without court intervention. If the court grants the motion, it issues an enforceable order with a deadline for compliance, and noncompliance can lead to sanctions or other remedies. This is distinct from delaying a hearing, dismissing a case automatically, or appealing a verdict.